The newly launched Batala Mountain Race in Lazkao has successfully met the organizers' expectations, with 211 participants across two events. Hot weather and a fast course were the main characteristics of this competition, which also highlighted its advocacy for inclusion.
The organization, driven by the Bakuntza taldea group, has been highly praised. Three modalities were offered: a 12-kilometer sprint mountain race, a 30-kilometer long trail, and an inclusive walking march on a short route, which gathered nearly 100 participants.
Runners experienced significant heat, although less intense than the previous week. Organizers provided extensive support services. The 30-kilometer route, the longest in the Goierri Trail Kopa circuit, starts from Lazkao, ascends Mount Esparru, descends to Ataun, enters Aralar, and reaches the summit of Agaotz, featuring a positive elevation gain of 1,350 meters.
The 81 trail runners (7 women) started at 08:00 from the Lazkao town square. Half an hour later, 130 participants (48 women) began the short-distance race, with temperatures at 24 degrees Celsius. Around 11:00, a rain shower added a sensation of humidity to the heat.
The duplication of routes presented an additional organizational challenge. The short-distance participants went from Lazkao towards Goierri Eskola, Oiangu Park, Lazkemendi, and the Amundarain farmhouse, completing the loop by descending to Troskaeta in Ataun. The long-distance runners, conversely, ran mostly in the opposite direction, primarily in the Amundarain area, only converging in the final section. The race received technical advice from the Ehunmilak team of Beasain.
In the long trail, the San Sebastián runner Aitor Arotzena secured victory after a close final battle with Jokin Gijarro from Zumaia. The first runner from Goierri and third place on the podium was Egoitz Arrieta from Urretxu. In the women's category, Miren Bastida from Azpeitia dominated convincingly, finishing 17 minutes ahead of the second-placed Amagoia Iribar from Orio and the third, Maite Murgia from Lazkao.
In the short race, Julen Badiola from Bergara won, with Iban Sanjuan from Zegama and Iñigo Garde from Oiartzun following. In the women's category, Maider Unanue from Lazkao triumphed in her hometown, finishing just one second shy of completing the hour, accompanied on the podium by the young Lazkao runner Nora Anton and Intza Urrestarazu, originally from Lazkao and now residing in Ordizia.
The Batala race is the eighth scoring event on the Goierri Kopa calendar. In the overall men's trail standings, Egoitz Arrieta (453 points) leads, followed by today's winner, Aitor Arotzena (413). In the women's standings, Maite Murgia from Lazkao has strengthened her lead (445 points).
In the sprint distance, Bingen Erauskin leads the men's category (545 points), with Iban Sanjuan in second place (482). In the women's category, Nora Anton from Lazkao is at the top (645 points), with Intza Urrestarazu close behind (585).
